Phenotypic and Genotyping Study of Aspergillus Niger: Molecular Detection of Calmodulin, 18srRNA and Pepsin like Protease Genes Based on Multiplex PCR

Aims: Aspergillosis can be diagnosed using PCR. For this purpose, the genes encoding the 18S rRNA, Calmodulin and Pepsin-like protease genes of Aspergillus niger, were elucidated. Genus specific sequences could be identified in region of 18S rRNA. Methodology: 24 fungal strains were isolated from different localities of Al-Hillah city. Isolates were screened for glucose oxidase production using submerged fermentation and molecular techniques like 18S rRNA. DNA was isolated and amplified using PCR. Gene sequencing was done and homology analysis was studied. Rate of glucose oxidase production was also analyzed. Results: The method described in this study represents a rapid and reliable procedure to assess the presence in food products of two ochratoxigenic species of section Nigri. Glucose oxidase hyper producing isolate was identified as A. niger strain. The F17 strain gave best reproducible results (87. 5±0.05U/g of cell mass) after 72 h. of fermentation at 30ºC and at a medium pH of 7.2.The 18srDNA  was used to detect A. niger was very affective. The identification and isolation of tannase gene from A. niger which is considered as an important bioreactor and industrial fungus were reported Conclusion: Our results revealed that Glucose oxidase was produced naturally by A. niger in large quantity instead of using other manipulation techniques of genetic. The PCR technique we have used appears to be adequate to study a large group of microorganisms (fungi) and it help to identify risk of pathogenicity of aspergillosis. Keywords:Aspergillus niger, Calmodulin, Pepsin-like protease, 18S rRNA, aspergillosis,  Tannase

Study of Bacterial infection associated with male infertility in Hillah city-Iraq

Objectives: To identify bacterial species present in the lower genital tract of males and to investigate the relationship with semen quality and male infertility. Methods: The microscopic analyses, cultures and ELISA technique of 175 semen and serum specimens, collected over 9 months from males investigated for infertility, were prospectively assessed. Results: One hundred and seventy five seminal fluid, blood and serum specimens were collected from men investigated for infertility over a period of 9 months (from April 2011 to December 2011) were analyzed. The seminal fluids and serum of patients mentioned to the laboratory from the fertility clinics of Babylon maternity and children Hospital and outer clinics. The results had shown that from 17 microbial species there are, Ureaplasma urealyticum 4.938272 %, Ureaplasma parvum 2.160494 %, Mycoplasma hominis 2.469136 %, Mycoplasma genetalium 5.864198 %, Chlamydia trachomatis 9.876543 %, Streptococcus pyogenes 8.641975 % , Staphylococcus aureus 11.11111 %, Staphylococcus epidermidis 12.03704 %, Staphylococcus saprophyticus 0.925926 %, Escherichia coli 20.06173 %, Proteus mirabilis 1.234568 %, Proteus vulgaris 2.469136 %, Klebsiella pneumoniae 0.925926 %, Pseudomonas aeuroginosa 1.54321 %, Neisseria gonorrhoeae 2.777778 %, Toxoplasma gondii 6.17284 % and Candida 6.790123 %. Also the infection with microorganisms revealed that it is higher in azoospermic patients than normospermic group (control).   Keywords: Male infertility, ELISA technique, Bacterial infection

Genetic Study of TORCH Infections in Women with Bad Obstetric History: Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction for Detection of Common Pathogens and Agents of Congenital Infections

To revealed the incidence of TORCH infections among pregnancy wastage in women which had bad obstetric history (BOH). METHODS: The study included 132 women with bad obstetric history. Genetic evaluation for TORCH infections was carried out by specific primers designed for that purpose using PCR method. RESULT: Toxoplasma was 36.36%, rubella 20.45%, cytomegalovirus 29.55% and herpes simplex virus 13.64%. Maximum number of cases of abortion 52 (39.39%), preterm labor 29 (21.96%) was associated with toxoplasma infection, early neonatal deaths 19 (14.39%) were maximally associated with toxoplasma and CMV infections. while congenital malformations 14 (10.6%) were evident maximally with toxoplasma infection and intrauterine death 8 (6.06%). CONCLUSIONS: Women with BOH are significantly higher in infection compared with that in control. A previous history of pregnancy wastage, genetic infestation using specific primers for TORCH agent’s detection and the serological reaction for TORCH infections during current pregnancy must be considered while managing BOH cases so as to reduce the adverse fetal outcome

Seroprevalence study of IgG and IgM Antibodies to Toxoplasma, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Chlamydia trachomatis and Herpes simplex II in Pregnancy women in Babylon Province

In this work 180 blood samples was collected from pregnant women in Babylon province, Babylon maternity and children hospital from October/2008 to April/2009. It revealed that TORCH infections was; Cytomegalovirus formed (CMV) 57.2% followed by Toxoplasma gondii 55.5% Rubella 53.9%, Herpes simplex II 28.9% and Chlamydia trachomatis 24.4%. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma, Rubella, CMV, Chlamydia trachomatis and Herpes IgM Antibodies according to various obstetric losses showed that Abortions happened in all causes with high percentage (Over than 30%) except Herpes infections (less than 6%), while congenital anomalies and premature delivery formed high ratio with some different in some cases. Neonatal deaths are very low under 1% except in CMV infections which formed 4.9%. Distribution of age with type of infection according IgM Antibodies to Toxoplasma, Rubella, CMV, Chlamydia trachomatis and Herpes simplex revealed that major age group for infection was between <20 to 40 years which formed more than two third of all infection cases. Residential distribution with type of infection according IgM Antibodies shows that most infection occurred in rural area (over than 50% in all agents) except in Herpes simplex infections which formed 82.7% in urban area. TORCH (Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus and Herpes simplex) infections with incidence of abortion in pregnant women in this study revealed that First trimester was the highest ratio of infection than other two trimesters

Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium complex and related subspecies as causative agents of zoonotic and occupational diseases

Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP) cause zoonotic infections transmitted by birds and livestock herds. These pathogens have remained as serious economic and health threats in most areas of the world. As zoonotic diseases, the risk of development of occupational disease and even death outcome necessitate implementation of control strategies to prevent its spread. Zoonotic MAP infections include Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, sarcoidosis, diabetes mellitus, and immune-related diseases (such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis). Paratuberculosis has classified as type B epidemic zoonotic disease according to world health organization which is transmitted to human through consumption of dairy and meat products. In addition, MAC causes pulmonary manifestations and lymphadenitis in normal hosts and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) progression (by serotypes 1, 4, and 8). Furthermore, other subspecies have caused respiratory abscesses, neck lymph nodes, and disseminated osteomyelitis in children and ulcers. However, the data over the occupational relatedness of these subspecies is rare. These agents can cause occupational infections in susceptible herd breeders. Several molecular methods have been recognized as proper strategies for tracking the infection. In this study, some zoonotic aspects, worldwide prevalence and control strategies regarding infections due to MAP and MAC and related subspecies has been reviewe

Palaeogeographic controls on palygorskite occurrence in Maastrichtian-Palaeogene sediments of the Western High Atlas and Meseta Basins (Morocco)

peer reviewedThe Maastrichtian-Palaeogene series of the Western High Atlas and Meseta Basins in Morocco are particularly rich in palygorskite. The present work is aimed at clarifying the genesis of palygorskite from the interbedded facies and gaining an understanding of their relationships with the depositional environment. The mineralogical characteristics of palygorskite from these series were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron microscopy (SEM/TEM). The palygorskite content and microstructure show large geographical and stratigraphical variations in the deposits studied. The palygorskite occurrence is directly related to palaeobathymetry, since it is the dominant clay mineral in shallow marine and restricted environments. According to the morphology of palygorskite crystallites, four types of textures were distinguished. These types of palygorskite are polygenetic, formed by chemical precipitation, by the recrystallization of smectite clays or reworked by wind or water from sub-aerial environments. The difference between the two studied sub-basins with respect to palygorskite occurrence is attributed to the palaeomorphology of the hinterlands, to the tectonic differentiation and to the physical-chemical conditions of sea water